Can I Recover Compensation for Pain and Suffering after a Car Accident in Clearwater, Florida?
Florida employs a no-fault system when it comes to car accidents, but you can seek compensation for the legal damages you experience in a car accident claim if the other driver’s negligence caused you to suffer serious injuries. And one form of compensation you can pursue is the pain and suffering you endure, which can overshadow all your other losses combined. Consult with an experienced Clearwater, Florida, car accident attorney today.
Basic Categories of Loss
In Florida, you can seek compensation for the following categories of loss in your car accident claim:
- Property damage to your vehicle and its contents
- Your medical expenses, including those related to ongoing needs
- Your lost income, including any losses related to overall earning power
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which we’ll consider in more detail below.
An important factor when it comes to obtaining just compensation that covers your full range of losses is ensuring that they are clearly defined, well-represented, and backed up by evidence. And for this, you need the skilled legal representation of a focused car accident attorney.
Your Pain and Suffering
Being injured as a result of another motorist’s negligence – such as impairment, excess speed, or distraction – in a violent car accident is an overwhelming experience that can cause immense pain and suffering. In addition to the physical pain you experience, you may suffer emotional setbacks that are often likened to PTSD, including:
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased anxiety, which can include anxiety attacks
- Terrifying accident flashbacks
- Fear of getting back behind the wheel
- Depressive episodes
- Serious mood swings, which can include difficulty controlling your emotions
- A tendency to self-isolate
- Increased irritability
- Difficult concentrating
These emotional symptoms can directly interfere with your life and can serve as a barrier to support – just when you need it most.
Calculating Your Pain and Suffering
Calculating the pain and suffering you endure in a car accident case generally comes down to factors like the following:
- The severity of your physical injuries
- The degree to which your injuries impose limits on your daily life
- The degree to which your suffering is predicted to affect your future
- Any preexisting conditions that need to be taken into consideration
- Your age
Proving the Level of Pain and Suffering You’re Living With
To prove the full scope of your pain and suffering, you’ll turn to evidence like the following:
- Reports from your doctors and mental health professionals
- Your own accounting of how your life has been negatively affected by the accident
- Affidavits from those who know you best that attest to how the accident has affected you
- Photos of your external injuries
- Documentation of the medical tests, treatments, and procedures you’ve had to endure
An Experienced Clearwater Car Accident Attorney Can Help
The formidable car accident attorneys at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos – proudly serving Clearwater, Florida – focus their practice on helping clients like you recover fully from every category of loss they experience, including pain and suffering. To learn more, please contact us online or call 727-441-9030 today.